Antineoplastic Effects of Erufosine on Small and Non-Small Lung Cancer Cells Through Induction of Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest

Abstract Background: Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most common types of cancer with a high mortality rate. Depending on molecular and histological properties, LC is divided into non–small-cell and small-cell lung cancer. Not only surgery but also radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or combination treatment are used for patients. However, the survival rate of LC is still very low. Erufosine (ErPC3) is a novel promising antineoplastic agent and inhibits the translocation of AKT to the plasma membrane by dephosphorylating AKT. Methods and Results: In the current study, the cell-type dependent effects of ErPC3 on cell viability, apoptotic situation, cell cycle distribution, related gene expression, and migration capacities of A549 and DMS 114 were investigated. As results, ErPC3 exhibited cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic properties against both cells, while DMS 114 was more affected. ErPC3 accumulated the cells in G2/M phase and blocked cell cycle. Proliferation markers were downregulated, while pro-apoptotic markers were upregulated in ErPC3 treated cells. Besides, ErPC3 displayed anti-migratory effect on A549 and DMS 114 compared to the control group according to scratch assay. Conclusion: These findings promise a treatment approach and drug development against LC. The obtained results from the recent study lead it necessary to carry out more detailed studies about ErPC3.